Chapter 97: Grand Strategy, Eastern Advance (1)
As autumn deepened, beginning with the calculation of taxes collected from across the country, the court proceeded with the settlement of income and expenditures.
"Hmm... we've barely managed to overcome the crisis."
"That is correct, Your Highness."
At Sejong's assessment, all the ministers nodded their heads in agreement.
* * *
Since the beginning of the Gyeongjang reforms, the Joseon court's expenditures had gradually increased. The number of officials and professional soldiers was growing little by little but steadily, and there had been large-scale spending on mines and ironworks.
The problem was that the rate of increase in tax revenue, the most important source of income, was falling behind the rate of increase in expenditures.
Of course, compared to the Gapjin year, the first year of Gyeongjang, tax revenue continued to increase, but the increase in expenditures was always one or two steps ahead.
To solve this problem, Sejong had to implement bold policies in succession.
First, beginning with the merit subject lands, he started continuously recovering the lands that had been given to officials.
"From now on, we will recover all the tax collection rights that were given to officials. However, in exchange for recovering the tax collection rights, we will provide monthly stipends in kind, but with increased amounts."
Following Sejong's decision, farmlands including the merit subject lands given to merit subjects and ministers began to be systematically recovered. The only ones excluded from this measure were the royal family.
In return, Sejong increased the amount of stipends paid to his subjects as promised.
As mentioned before, Joseon had greatly reduced the stipends paid to the royal family and subjects upon its founding.
In the case of the royal family, it was reduced to one-sixth, and in the case of subjects, to one-quarter, which was the situation in early Joseon.
In this situation, Sejong increased the stipends according to the following standards:
- Lower-ranking officials will receive an increase to 1/2 compared to Goryeo, and higher-ranking officials to 1/3.
- Instead of abolishing hereditary lands such as Susinjeon and Hyulyangjeon, wealth equivalent to the stipend received by the senior first rank will be paid monthly. However, this period is limited to 10 years.
Through these standards, Sejong returned the land to the king's possession.
* * *
Later, historians evaluated this period as Sejong's first crisis. If rebellion had occurred during the process of recovering the economic foundation of the merit subjects, Sejong could have been expelled from the throne.
However, this crisis was overcome due to the following three variables.
The first was the purge of elder ministers including Ryu Jeong-hyeon.
While it was a clash between Sejong and the elder ministers that arose under the pretext of cowpox vaccination, in essence, it was a clash between Sejong, who favored royal authority, and the elder ministers, who wanted to divide power equally between king and subjects.
Later historians also evaluated that the immediate nationwide implementation of cowpox vaccination promoted by Sejong—at that time, the certain effectiveness of cowpox had not yet been proven—was very risky, so it was only natural that the elder ministers rose up in opposition.
However, as the effectiveness of cowpox vaccination was proven through the outbreak of smallpox near Hanyang, the elder ministers were expelled from their positions by Sejong.
Following the purge of Queen Wongyeong's Min clan during King Taejong's reign, and the purge of the Shim On faction that occurred as soon as Sejong ascended to the throne, the third purge of elder ministers greatly reduced the power of the elder ministers who had boasted influence since the founding of the country.
As a result of the above, the forces that could have expelled Sejong lost their focal point, and this became the first factor that allowed Sejong to overcome the crisis.
The second factor was the Crown Prince.
Hyang, Sejong's eldest son, was invested as Crown Prince and at the same time created various cultural artifacts and technologies including the Geumpil.
The Crown Prince not only developed these but also had outstanding talent in commercialization, which soon expanded Joseon's trade and brought about an expansion of tax revenue.
Eventually, convinced that their economic security was ensured, the court bureaucrats actively cooperated with Sejong's policies.
The military also had the same conviction and took the same attitude, allowing Sejong to secure definite military power.
The third factor was 'punishment.'
This punishment, named 'Document Organization Punishment,' was the most non-violent and at the same time, conversely, the most cruel punishment.
However, this punishment had one additional effect that no one had expected.
Among the punishments inflicted on the Joseon ruling class, the most common was exile.
Unlike its appearance of being expelled from the power group together with the king, exile allowed the person who suffered it to maintain their power as much as they wanted, if they made up their mind and maintained secrecy appropriately.
No, they could even strengthen their power.
However, the document organization punishment fundamentally blocked such opportunities. The criminal had to move within the king's sight, and the physical and mental fatigue accumulated while organizing documents almost completely blocked the criminal's external activities.
* * *
"Due to the Great Fire of Hanyang, there was an unexpectedly large expenditure. However, fortunately, this year's harvest was good, and thanks to the large profits from trade with Japan, it seems there will be room to set the budget for next year."
At the Minister of Taxation's report, Sejong reviewed the reports once more and looked at the Chief State Councillors.
"I would like to invite the tribal chiefs of the Wild Jurchens this year. What do you think?"
At Sejong's question, the Chief State Councillors fell into thought for a moment. After a brief consideration, Chief State Councillor Yi Jik answered.
"Since the situation is good this year, it would be appropriate to hold the invitation that we could not do last year."
Following Chief State Councillor Yi Jik's words, Hwang Hee continued.
"That is correct. The movements in the Jianzhou area are also unusual, so I think the Eastern Advance should be implemented quickly."
Following Hwang Hee's words, Maeng Sa-seong added firmly.
"Please recall the event with the Odori tribe. They are people who take profits by going back and forth between our Joseon and Ming, so I believe we must clearly distinguish friend from foe at this opportunity."
When all the Chief State Councillors agreed, Sejong made his decision.
"Good. Select envoys and send them to the Wild Jurchens. What date would be good to set?"
At Sejong's question, Hwang Hee answered as if he had been waiting.
"Sanggang (Frost Descent, the day the first frost falls. Around October 24th in the solar calendar.) would be appropriate."
"Sanggang... not bad."
Once the date was set, Sejong looked at the ministers.
"Starting with this year's Sanggang, begin the 'Eastern Advance.'"
"We receive your command!"
* * *
'Eastern Advance' was the largest part of the military strategy that Sejong created for Joseon's growth.
The origin of 'Eastern Advance' was the southward movement of Li Manju.
Due to Li Manju's southward movement, Ming's influence over the Jurchens was strengthened, and conversely, to break the situation where Joseon's influence was weakening, Sejong fell into deep contemplation.
Seeing Sejong contemplating, Hyang proposed to Sejong the establishment of a specialized agency.
"Establish a specialized agency?"
"That is correct, Father. Father does not need to take responsibility for everything. Just as you share opinions with ministers about administration, wouldn't it be best to share opinions with military commanders regarding military administration?"
"That would be good, but the civil officials will oppose it."
"Just as the military should not covet the civil, the civil should not covet the military."
At Hyang's words, Sejong thought for a moment and then nodded.
"That seems acceptable. Sharing opinions... if there is Jiphyeonjeon for the civil, there should be something similar for the military."
Having made his decision, Sejong moved quickly.
"It is too late to prepare after war breaks out. Therefore, I believe a body is needed to examine the situation in advance and research countermeasures. This is precisely fitting for the rich nation and strong military that Gyeongjang is pursuing."
Sejong, who declared the creation of a new military organ, entered into the organization together with Hyang.
Born through such work was the 'Joseon Army General Staff Headquarters.'
At the General Staff Headquarters, famous commanders from the military including Choi Yun-deok and young talents like Yi Jing-ok gathered.
People evaluated as having outstanding wisdom in both the army and navy gathered at the Staff Headquarters, and the first task Sejong gave them was as follows:
'Establish the most basic strategy concerning our Joseon, the Jurchen region, Japan, and Ming based on the Gyeongjang policies our Joseon is currently implementing.'
"Hoo~"
Choi Yun-deok, confirming the order Sejong had given, commanded the commanders belonging to the Staff Headquarters.
"Don't even think about going home for the time being."
"First, we need data! Secure all the data we can secure!"
Following Choi Yun-deok's command, the commanders searched every archive in the palace and the Six Ministries. They gathered absolutely everything even if it was only slightly related.
"If necessary, gather everything from the previous dynasty too!"
"Yes, sir!"
Following Choi Yun-deok's order, the military officers of the Staff Headquarters searched even the records from the Goryeo period and gathered what was needed.
What the Staff Headquarters' military officers gathered was not limited to military-related matters.
"It is said that if you know yourself and know your enemy, you will not be defeated in a hundred battles. We need to properly know our Joseon's capabilities, so go to the Ministry of Taxation and request data!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Staff Headquarters' military officers requested from the Ministry of Taxation and obtained copies of all data related to economic aspects including the household register and tax revenue.
Having obtained the copies, the Staff Headquarters immediately began mass printing.
"It takes too long to share just one copy!"
Based on the data secured by moving so breathlessly, the General Staff Headquarters immediately began establishing strategy.
"The part His Majesty is most interested in is related to the Jurchens. Let's align the strategy starting with this part."
"I have an objection!"
At Choi Yun-deok's decision, Yi Jing-ok, sitting in the furthest seat, raised his hand and raised an objection.
"Is this Magistrate Yi Jing-ok? Speak."
"Strategy is a big picture. If we don't establish the overall framework and focus only on one place, the picture will become a mess."
"So what do you propose we do?"
"Looking at our Joseon's situation, we are suffering from Wokou to the south and Jurchens to the north. I believe that while prioritizing the Jurchen problem is not wrong, it is right to establish at least minimal defense measures against Japan first, and then think about countermeasures against the Jurchens based on that."
"That makes sense. Any other opinions?"
There were no one who raised objections to Choi Yun-deok's question.
"Then let's first think about troop allocation to prepare against the Wokou."
Thus, the process of researching how much minimum force was needed to prepare against the Wokou began.
During the research process, the need for troop allocation for forces defending the capital emerged, and the research started again from the beginning.
After numerous trials and errors, the people of the Staff Headquarters finished appropriate troop allocation and began research to establish strategy related to the Jurchens.
After researching for more than 3 months without even going home, the people of the Staff Headquarters who saw the result named 'Eastern Advance' wore heavy expressions.
"To use everything we had and only reach the Tumen River..."
"Is our Joseon's capability only this far?"
The expression of General Choi Yun-deok who received the result was similarly heavy.
"This is really..."
No matter how many times he read the report, the conclusion was one.
With Joseon's current capabilities, even at the time Gyeongjang ends, crossing the Tumen River would rather be a bad move—this was the conclusion that came out.
* * *
"Why only to the Tumen River?"
At Sejong's question, Choi Yun-deok explained the reason.
"The Jurchens' main force is cavalry. To counter cavalry, cavalry is optimal, but unlike the Jurchens, our Joseon requires a lot of time and money to raise cavalry."
In the case of the Jurchens who lived a half-farming, half-nomadic life, replenishing cavalry was easy, but Joseon was not so.
Although horsemanship was included in the military examination, obtaining and training horses was possible only with economic support.
On the other hand, for the Jurchens, horses and horsemanship were part of daily life, so replenishing consumed forces was easy.
"So that's why the Tumen River?"
"That is correct. If fighting only with bows and spears equally, using the Tumen River, a natural barrier, to block the Jurchens is the best option."
"This is..."
At Choi Yun-deok's explanation, Sejong could not hide his regret.
The land where the Jurchens were running wild was the land of Goguryeo, one of the Three Han in ancient times.
He did not like the idea of stopping at the Tumen River while having that vast land right before his eyes.
"General."
Hyang, who had been quietly listening to the conversation from the side, interjected.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Did you say the Tumen River is the limit with the same bows and spears?"
"That is correct."
"Then if there are more powerful weapons than that, would a more aggressive strategy be possible?"
At Hyang's words, Choi Yun-deok, who was calculating for a moment, answered.
"It is possible."
At Choi Yun-deok's answer, Hyang looked at Sejong.
"There is something being researched in District 51. If it succeeds, I think more aggressive operations will become possible."
"...I will look forward to it."
* * *
Thus, in the inspection conducted in December, the weapons developed by District 51 were revealed.
As soon as the performance of the weapons created by District 51 and Sejong's order to mass-produce them came out, the General Staff Headquarters immediately began revising the 'Eastern Advance.'
And when the year changed and it was around spring, a new 'Eastern Advance' was created.
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Author's Note:
I correct that the currency unit 1 ducat is marked as 1 nyang of silver. 10 ducats is 1 nyang of silver. I have written the details in the corresponding chapter.